Celebrities who almost got the iconic role
It is said that both Kurt Russell and Mickey Rourke auditioned for the role of Bill Blazewski. And, according to Ron Howard, Michael Keaton was not the first choice. John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray were also approached for the role, and even John Candy was considered. However, none of them were interested, either because the role seemed too small to them or because they decided to turn it down.
‘Lowell Ganz, one of the screenwriters, saw Michael’s work and said to me, “Keaton is going to be a star for someone, and he could be a star for us,”’ Ron Howard shared.
Improvised scene
Throughout Night Shift, there is a feeling that Michael Keaton is simply making everything up as he goes along — he has a natural comic genius that brings hilarious, spontaneous moments to life. One of the best improvised moments is when a blind man asks Winkler and Keaton for change, and Keaton responds by writing the guy a cheque. Classic Keaton!
Did you notice Ron Howard in the film?
Ron Howard certainly did well with his directorial debut, which grossed $21,095,638 at the box office. But the former child actor couldn’t resist a cameo of his own. If you look closely, you can see Ron and his wife Cheryl kissing in front of Chuck’s (Henry Winkler) house.
As for the subway scene, it’s Ron Howard himself playing the annoying saxophonist. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Ron Howard film without a cameo from his brother, Clint Howard, who plays the quirky character Jeffrey in the film.
Kevin Costner makes an appearance
There are many familiar faces in fairly early roles in Night Shift!
Kevin Costner appears in the film as a fraternity boy at a party in a morgue. It’s a non-speaking role, but you can spot him in a plaid shirt, a student cardigan tied around his waist, and a cup in his hand — he’s just hanging out while Michael Keaton does his thing, balancing a bottle on his head.
And here’s Shannen Doherty, making her first feature film appearance as the Bluebell (a sort of Girl Scout) in the lift scene, uttering just one line. You wouldn’t guess it, but these small moments of future stars add extra fun to this quirky classic.
Birthplace of a cult song
Did you know that Night Shift was the first place we heard the classic tune ‘That’s What Friends Are For’? Recorded by Rod Stewart for the 1982 film soundtrack, it became a global hit when Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder joined in 1986. Their version not only reached number one on the Billboard charts, but also raised over $3 million for AIDS research.
Meanwhile, the film opens with Quarterflash’s memorable theme song ‘Night Shift’ and features classic jams such as Van Halen’s ‘You Really Got Me’ and a live version of the Rolling Stones’ ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash.’
Shelley Long didn’t want to play a prostitute
For those who don’t remember or haven’t seen Night Shift, Shelley Long plays Belinda, a sweet but tough prostitute who lives next door to Chuck (Henry Winkler). When her pimp is killed, Belinda teams up with Chuck and Bill (Michael Keaton), who decide to help her by running her business in a completely wild way.
Ron Howard took a liking to Shelley Long after her role in the film Caveman (1981). However, when he needed her for Night Shift (1982), she was busy filming another movie in California. Despite this, Howard convinced her to take a short two-day break and come to Hollywood.
At the time, the pretty actress was auditioning for the role of Belinda, the female lead, and was asked to return the next day to meet Henry Winkler. Although she initially had doubts about playing a prostitute, Long found time to do some research and ultimately agreed to take the role.
‘She came to us dressed as a prostitute, read with Henry, and was immediately amazing. Their scenes were already being prepared, even on videotape,’ says Ron.
‘The happiest, most respectable prostitute…’
In the early 1980s, comedies about prostitution were unexpectedly popular. Around the same time Night Shift was released, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a film based on the Broadway musical, starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, hit the screens. The following summer, Tom Cruise starred in Risky Business, in which he turned his parents’ house into a brothel.
Shelley Long, who played Belinda, a prostitute who wins Chuck’s heart, was called by critics ‘the happiest and most respectable prostitute you’ve ever seen on screen,’ and some even joked that she could lead a troop of Girl Scouts.
The classic egg scene
Night Shift is full of silly moments, and one hilarious scene involves Shelley Long’s character, Belinda, making breakfast for Chuck. The scene in which Chuck first sees Belinda cooking in her underwear is priceless, and Henry Winkler’s reaction is nothing like Fonzie’s!
After that, Belinda asks what kind of eggs he wants, and Chuck replies that he wants an omelette. When she starts cooking, she clearly makes fried eggs.